33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B Mark 13:24-32
‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he* is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Today’s Gospel is a matter of life and death.
Perhaps I should explain what I mean ….
I think it is really important to have a healthy lifestyle. I know this because I read it somewhere. Maybe it was on a billboard on Yonge Street. Maybe it was on the windows of one of the many fitness clubs I have discovered in my driving around Newmarket. There seem to be a LOT of fitness clubs in Newmarket! Or perhaps it was on the box of the “Blue Menu” foods at the SuperCentre.
And like you, I have a pretty good idea of what a healthy lifestyle is all about. It’s in that list of New Year’s Resolutions we make every year. Something about exercise, eating the right foods in right balance, and avoiding addictions like nicotine, caffeine, compulsive eating.
Health is all about being well.
But too often, when we think of being healthy, we see it as being healthy, being well, in this life. Which begs the question — which is more important? Being well for the few decades we have on this earth, or being well forever with God in our eternal life?
It changes our perspective, doesn’t it.
Let me put it another way …. As important as it is to have a healthy LIFEstyle, its even more important to have a healthy DEATHstyle
Deathstyle. Death. The “D” word. We don’t like that word, do we? We don’t like to use it, and we don’t like to hear it. And we don’t want to face death, in others, or in ourselves. Throughout our lives, we deny its existence. We live as if illness and death will not face us. And when it does, as it inevitably will, we are shocked. Angered. Surprised – by the one thing we know is inevitable.
In today’s gospel, Jesus is reminding his disciples, (that’s you and me), that there will come a time when we will face our transition to eternal life. And death is that doorway through which we all must pass. No exceptions. Not even Jesus.
So, how do we prepare for this transition? What exactly is a healthy deathstyle?
Like a healthy lifestyle, it has three components.
Firstly, its about being well with God. Meaning, we talk to God, often. And listen to God even more often. Sometimes that’s in prayer, but mostly it is in the living out of our ordinary, daily lives. Its about slowing down and seeing God in the events of the day, in the people we encounter, in the beauty and grandeur of creation. And in that sense, it’s like exercise. Not a physical exercise – but a spiritual one. An exercise of our heart and mind to awaken to the presence of God around and within us.
Secondly, its about being aware of our own mortality, recognizing that each morning when we get up, there is no guarantee that we will be around by nightfall. Some people would say this is a terribly depressing way to think. But, I beg to differ. When we live in this awareness, an awareness of our own personal “End-Times”, then each moment in our day becomes a cherished moment, each encounter becomes special and unique, and each day becomes gift. You will be astounded at how this awareness changes your perspective !
And Thirdly, A healthy deathstyle is about NOT being afraid. Do you know what the most common phrase is in the Bible? It is “Be not afraid”. It occurs hundreds of times in the Old and New testaments. It is as if God is saying to us – “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times — don’t be afraid!”
There is a glorious, eternal future awaiting each and every one of us. Death is only an event in our lives, not the end of it.
And for those of you who are worried if you will pass the test at the end of this life – DON’T WORRY!! Jesus even gave us the questions he will ask. It’s all there in Mathew Chapter 25!! …..
” Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
- for I was hungry and you gave me food,
- I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
- I was a stranger and you welcomed me
- I was naked and you gave me clothing,
- I was sick and you took care of me,
- I was in prison and you visited me
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
So, go ahead and continue to live a healthy lifestyle. But, remember, all that good food and exercise won’t make you live forever.
A healthy lifestyle won’t cut it.
Only a healthy deathstyle can do that – guaranteed.
- Be well with God
- Be aware of your Mortality in this life, and your ultimately eternal life with God
- And don’t be afraid. The best is yet to come.
Give it some thought. Because, today’s Gospel really is a matter of life and death.